Welcome to the third and final installment in our series that unapologetically lambastes buyers for making lame excuses for not having a procurement certification.<\/p>\n
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In Part I, I discussed how claims of not having time don\u2019t hold up under scrutiny.\u00a0 In Part II, I shared how to overcome the \u201cI don\u2019t have the money\u201d excuse.<\/p>\n
Today, I\u2019ll tear a new earhole into the excuse I hate most:\u00a0 \u201cI don\u2019t do well on tests.\u201d<\/p>\n
Some people are legitimately scared of exams. I\u2019ve even known a friend who was a PhD who didn\u2019t want to become certified because there was an exam.<\/p>\n
I advocate for procurement all the time. I\u2019ve dedicated my career to raising the stature of procurement as a profession. To get procurement recognized and respected in the C-suite.<\/p>\n
So, when I hear procurement people act reluctantly about becoming certified because of one stinkin\u2019 exam, I can\u2019t help but wish they would get out of procurement and become baggers at the local grocery store.<\/p>\n
We are \u201ctested\u201d in procurement daily. Tested to get goods and services delivered on time to support our organization\u2019s challenging schedules. Tested to prove to financial executives that we\u2019ve saved the amount of money we\u2019ve claimed to save. Tested to keep demanding internal customers happy.<\/p>\n
So, anyone who is too scared to sit in front of a computer screen and answer questions for 90 minutes probably isn\u2019t cut out for the challenges of procurement.\u00a0 Procurement is not a place for sissies.<\/p>\n
And, let\u2019s think about the worst thing that can happen: if you failed the exam, you\u2019d have to pay a mere $75 to retake the SPSM Exam. You can retake it immediately or take your time to do more studying.<\/p>\n
There\u2019s no shame if you do fail your first attempt or attempts. It\u2019s not publicized. And people fail all the time and come back and pass. It\u2019s OK to take the exam more than once. It doesn\u2019t diminish your stature once you do pass and become certified.<\/p>\n
This discussion reminds me of one of my favorite inspirational phrases: \u201cThe only real failure is the failure to try.\u201d<\/p>\n
Plus, think about the opposite result. What if you pass on your first attempt? You\u2019re done! Even if you choose to recertify as an SPSM for your entire career, it will be the only test you\u2019ll have to take. And you passed it! Isn\u2019t that glorious?<\/p>\n
But I don\u2019t believe that anyone that has made it through this entire series is an excuse maker. You\u2019re still here because you have ambition. You\u2019re still here because you\u2019re investing your time in making a difference: for yourself and for your employer. You\u2019re still here because you are ready to take your next step.<\/p>\n